Scottish Cup
2008-01-22 - Aberdeen vs Falkirk
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Scottish League Cup
Kickoff 19:45 GMT
The winner of this tie will be rewarded with a home tie against either Brechin or Hamilton, a game both of these sides would expect to win.
ABERDEEN
Aberdeen are currently in 5th in the Scottish Premier Division and find themselves 2 points behind Dundee United in 3rd. Like many of the sides vying for 3rd spot, the Dons are a very tough team to beat at home while being much more vulnerable in away games. They are another side that will hope for a good cup run as long as they can gain home draws. This season Aberdeen are 6-3-2 at home with 19 goals scored and 10 conceded.
Aberdeen's 3-0 defeat at Dundee United this weekend snapped their 7 game unbeaten run in all competitions. They have already shown a solid pedigree in cup competitions this season as they are still involved in the UEFA Cup and are also in the semi finals of the Scottish League Cup. Aberdeen have won 4 of their last 5 games at Pittodrie and are 12 games unbeaten at home in all competitions.
Lee Mair misses out for the Dons as does Stuart Duff. They have a number of doubts over the fitness of Darren Mackie, Richie Byrne, Michael Hart, Richard Foster and Karim Touzani. However Lee Miller has returned from suspension.
FALKIRK
Falkirk also have a place in the top 6 in the Scottish Premier Division in 6th place. They have gone 4-2-6 in away games this season with 21 goals scored and 26 conceded. They have only scored less goals on their travels than Celtic and have the 4th best away record in the league behind the Old Firm clubs and Motherwell.
Falkirk have failed to win any of their last 3 games, ironically 2 of those were against Aberdeen. They were comfortably beaten by bottom placed Gretna this weekend. Falkirk had won 2 in a row away from home before that defeat this weekend.
Tim Grul is back in the squad for this game. Scott Arfield is also back in the squad.
The 2 teams have drawn all 3 meetings this season, but only 1 of those games took place at Pittodrie. Aberdeen had won 10 of 11 matches between the sides before this season. They had also beaten Falkirk 5 times in a row at home.
PREDICTION:
While Celtic and Rangers are equally effective at home and away in Scotland, the tier of teams just below them like Aberdeen, Dundee United and Motherwell rely on strong home records.
Aberdeen know 2 home wins in this competition will put them in with a decent shot of winning the competition and they have proved their ability to win such games already this season and I will expect them to do it again here.
The Pick :
ABERDEEN 2-1 FALKIRK
